best way to mount a microwave

crown · February 03, 2011, 05:52:49 AM

how do you mount /secure your microwave ? thanks john

Tenor · February 03, 2011, 06:00:41 AM

I pulled mine from a travel trailer. It looked like a counter top model, but it has a plate that screws into the body of the microwave. That plate then allows you to mount it inside a cabinet. I put the microwave above the stove, with the hood hanging below.

Good Luck!
Glenn

boogiethecat · February 03, 2011, 07:16:58 AM

I just used some sharp pointed but short (1/2") screws and screwed a couple sheet metal brackets to the sides, then fastened them down. The sides are usually thin metal and pierce easily, and if you stay close to the bottom edge of the unit (within a half inch or so) you won't likely hit any wires. Only 4 screws is enough.

TomC · February 03, 2011, 07:17:35 AM

I used a Sharp microwave that I bought from Costco. The manufacturer offered a built in kit that funnels the hot air back out to the front of the oven (very important) rather then having the hot air dump in the back into the cabinet. The ironic thing was the build in kit cost almost as much as the microwave itself did. Make sure your microwave can be built in also to keep the air intake and exhaust coming out the front and not into the cabinet you're building the microwave into. Course if you're just hanging it under the cabinet-this doesn't matter. Good Luck, TomC

Geoff · February 03, 2011, 07:39:34 AM

I built a wall and overhang with 1" steel sq tubing that the microwave/convection oven hangs on. The framing was then covered with oak. That heavy microwave gets a lot of bouncing when going down the road, if I would of used just wood I'm sure it would have ripped loose by now. Oh, I also vented the microwave out the back and down into my fuel tank bay. It sits over my two burner stove and completely vents the smoke and heat out.

ruthi · February 03, 2011, 07:49:19 AM

Ours is mounted thru the area where the little rubber grip legs are on the bottom.

PP · February 03, 2011, 09:49:48 AM

Whatever you do, don't make the mistake I did. Our bus came with the gas oven mounted above the stove and a convection oven beneath it. When the convection quit, I relocated the gas oven to beneath the stove top and mounted a really nice MW in the now empty space above. I mounted it really good and then trimmed it all in so that it looked original. I was really proud of my work to say the least. It worked great until the wife decided to fry bacon in it a few weeks later which required several runs at 7+ minutes each. In short, that generated more heat than the poor thing could dissapate and the oven went south before she even finished the third run. I had a heck of a time getting it back out and replacing it, but before I put the second unit in, I modified the rear and included venting that allows air to be drawn in the front and down through the AC units exterior vent beneath the cabinets. This was 2 years ago and it's been working flawlessly since. I never realized how much a MW needs to breathe. Good luck, Will

crown · February 03, 2011, 01:06:15 PM

thanks mine is going over the referator . it has space on both sides and grill / vent i made on top . will take and post a picture
of where its going . why are you venting it out side of bus ? are you talking about those all in one range hood / light / microwaves
that go over the stoves ? i have a motorised / vented range hood i just put in . john

Nellie Wilson · February 03, 2011, 03:04:33 PM

Just a thought, but maybe mount it beneath an overhead cabinet? I'm mounting my convection oven this way, using two square 'U'-bolts for support. The 'U' part rests on the 'floor' of the cabinet with the legs coming down through holes drilled to suit (so the 'U' bolt is upside down). Then bolt a platform to the legs (wood or whatever). I'm using all-thread 'U'-bolts for ease of sizeing (just whack 'em off where you want the platform). Suggestion: Try to find some with plastic tubing for cushioning (you'll probably have dishes, etc. sitting on the 'U' part).

BTW, my MW is on the top wardrobe shelf (added a lip to keep it from falling.) Works great and easy to reach.

Nellie

JohnEd · February 03, 2011, 08:52:27 PM

I did it Ala Boogiethecat. I wasn't as anal as the Boogster was however. I held mine down with only two sheet metal screws from under the shelf floor I set it on that is over the stove and also holds the range hood in place. I paid $100 bucks for that Puppy so I didn't even open it up but just gave it a good look-over before drilling and screwing. No guts...no glory.

As for heat: I don't do the rocket science close tolerance work like many. I have ample room for heat dissipation/blow-by and there is a "always on" fan vent right behind the MW....purely by chance.

HTH,

John the Scientific Explorer

JackConrad · February 04, 2011, 04:29:33 AM

We sat our MW on the shelf after drilling a 5/16" hole on each side of it. I took a piece of 1" nylon strap and sewed each end after threading it through an eye bolt. Laid the strap over the top of the MW, stuck the eye bolts through the 5/16" holes, installed flat washers and nuts and tightened the nuts. Hasn't moved in 9 years. We did leave room around the MW for ventilation. Just our way, YMMV Jack

crown · February 04, 2011, 04:40:34 AM

thanks everyone lots of good iders .jack yours looks like a good one thanks john

Nellie Wilson · February 04, 2011, 10:11:33 AM

John, I've seen Jack's setup. Efficient and simple. If you've got the room, looks a good way to go. If I had more cabinet space, might have copied him (but need my cabinets for all my loose junk

).

Nellie

gus · February 04, 2011, 03:29:30 PM

My 4104 MW came sitting on a top shelf with raised shelf edges to keep it from sliding around. It was open on all sides so venting was no problem.

I don't see how it could ever bounce over the edges unless the bus was on its back! Never did.

Worked great for five years.